LSA Burgers

Great Food AND Community Service

by Janet Sever Hull

LSA Burger is not only unique for their triple decker restaurant with an open patio overlooking the old Denton County Courthouse, but also for their unusual attitude toward community responsibility and involvement. According to General Manager, Kristin Allen, “LSA wants to be involved. We want to be known for not just great food and beverages, but also for community outreach and service in the Denton Community.”

As it says on their website, LSA Burger celebrates a killer burger and a cold beer served with Texas hospitality, in an atmosphere which honors the rich musical heritage of our state. Providing live music three nights a week, LSA Burger has become a fun and exciting presence on the Denton Square.
While LSA stands for Lone Star Attitude, Allen believes it also stands for “Love, Serve, Act” and she hires staff members with great spirits and hearts for serving guests with love and action while in the restaurant, and in the community.

When working, staff members wear LSA Burger shirts or shirts honoring Texas musical legends, and it isn’t unusual to see them helping bands set up for Twilight Tunes free music concerts on Thursday nights in the summer, or delivering water bottles on hot days to bands playing on the Square, or even delivering dinner to welcome owners of a new local business.

Another way LSA Burger serves the Denton community, is through their “Corner to Corner” Program where an employee sweeps the sidewalk from one end of the their block all the way to the other end every morning at 7:00 a.m. During the recent storms in March, they cleared the sidewalk of snow and ice from corner to corner for their guests and neighbors.

LSA Burger is known for their musically themed décor honoring the vast and immensely talented group of artists from Texas. The wall on the way to the restroom features pictures of famous recording artists such as Norah Jones, who got their start at the University of North Texas. Photos and concert posters of Texas musicians line the walls, a Texas-shaped musical instrument collage hangs over the bar, and there is a large wall mural depicting Jesus at the Last Supper eating burgers and fries with some of the musical giants from Texas including Willie Nelson, Roy Orbison and Janis Joplin.

Birthdays of these musical icons are celebrated at the restaurant with guests enjoying their music on big screens and trivia about them, as well as surprises such as the recent cheese cake bites served to honor the birthday of Bob Wills.

When LSA Burger opened its doors on the Denton Square on Veteran’s Day in 2013, no one knew that they would soon form an alliance with a Flower Mound based charity called “Spirit of a Hero”. A serendipitous meeting between LSA Burger co-owner John “Sparky” Pearson and Rick Turner, happened over a beer at LSA Burger.

While Turner’s wife, Tancy, was participating in a Texas Red Hot Radio Program broadcast from the restaurant, Turner shared with Pearson the story of a Texas man named Travis Mills and the 2012 “Miles for Mills” motorcycle ride fundraiser he and his wife organized to help Mills and his family.

The outpouring of support for Mills, who lost part of all four limbs during his third tour of duty in Afghanistan, was the inspiration for Rick and Tancy Turner to create the “Spirit of a Hero Foundation” which provides financial, moral, and community support to critically injured soldiers of the United States Armed Forces.

When Pearson heard Turner’s story, he wanted to help. That meeting led to a ticketed dinner event last May the night before the annual motorcycle ride fundraiser, when LSA Burger closed for the night for a party honoring the Spirit of a Hero Foundation members and supporters. Food and alcohol were donated by the venue and all proceeds from the night were contributed to the foundation. Even the LSA wait staff joined in the effort by donating their tips.

As Turner said it best, “It’s important to remember there’s still a war going on and kids over there are losing their limbs and their lives for our freedom.”

LSA Burger provides space for the Spirit of a Hero Foundation Board Meetings and also plans to host the dinner again this year the night before the May 16th ride. There is a “Spirit of a Hero” burger on the restaurant menu, and LSA donates $2.00 for every one they sell. According to Turner, the two men have become friends and have other joint plans in the works to benefit the Spirit of a Hero Foundation.

Come jazz it up at the annual Denton Arts & Jazz Festival, April 24th – 26th. Great music, good food, beautiful art and many family activities will be waiting for you. The Denton Quakertown Park, on thirty-two acres in the heart of downtown, provides the perfect setting for the weekend event that is free to the public. The Denton Festival Foundation, Inc., in cooperation with the City of Denton, American Federation of Musicians, and the Music Performance Trust Fund, produces the festival with support from individual and corporate sponsorships. Over 2,900 musicians, artists and performers providing culturally diverse music and art. This festival has been considered one of the Top 100 Events in North America by the American Business Association for 3 years!

Headliners this year are the UNT One O’Clock Lab Band, playing Friday at 7:00 pm on the Jazz Stage, and Randy Brecker playing at 9:00 pm. Saturday night, Dr. John & The Nite Trippers are on the Jazz Stage at 9:00 pm, and as always, Brave Combo closes Sunday night at 7:00 pm.

Move to the beat at one of seven stages with jazz, blues and cross-cultural music. The twelve and under set can mold, draw, sculpt and create at the Children’s Art Tent and make music in the Percussion Tent. Treat yourself to delicious offerings at one of seven food courts, and don’t miss the games and activities for the young and young at heart. Get inspired with festival rhythms around every corner. Join in the pride and celebration of our music and arts tradition, all showcased for a weekend of enjoyment for the whole family. The Arts and Jazz Festival is also a litter free and recycling event.

Tips for Protecting Feet from the Heat

One of the many perks of a beachy spring and summer is knowing that instead of having your feet feeling toasty in sweaty Uggs, you can lounge happily with your toes dangling in the warm weather, shoe-free with the sand at your feet. But alas, the dream does come with its own set of tootsie troubles.

“Even if you are just lying still on your back soaking up the rays, your feet are still vulnerable,” says American Podiatric Medical Association member Dr. Jane Andersen. “You can seriously sunburn your feet and no matter how upscale your hotel, athlete’s foot can lurk in all public pool areas.”

Wouldn’t you rather spend time collecting sea shells than doctor’s bills? No worries. There are ways to prevent these future foot predicaments so you can go back to your sun-kissed dreams and enjoy a liberated foot experience.

1. Limit walking barefoot as it exposes feet to sunburn, as well as plantar warts, athlete’s foot, ringworm, and other infections and also increases risk of injury to your feet.
2. Wear shoes or flip-flops around the pool, to the beach, in the locker room and even on the carpeting or in the bathroom of hotel rooms to prevent injuries and limit the likelihood of contracting any bacterial infections.
3. Remember to apply sunscreen all over your feet, especially the tops and fronts of ankles, and don’t forget to reapply after you’ve been in the water.
4. Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This will not only help with overall health, but will also minimize any foot swelling caused by the heat.
5. Keep blood flowing with periodic ankle flexes, toe wiggles, and calf stretches.
6. Some activities at the beach, lake or river may require different types of footwear to be worn so be sure to ask the contact at each activity if specific shoes are needed. To be safe, always pack an extra pair of sneakers or protective water shoes. If your shoes will be getting wet, they should be dried out completely before your next wearing to prevent bacteria or fungus from growing.
7. If you injure your foot or ankle while on vacation, seek professional medical attention from a podiatric physician. Many often only contact a doctor when something is broken or sprained, but a podiatrist can begin treating your ailment immediately while you’re away from home. Use our Find a Podiatrist tool to get treatment wherever your travels take you!
8. In case of minor foot problems, be prepared with the following on-the-go foot gear:
• Flip flops – for the pool, spa, hotel room, and airport security check points
• Sterile bandages – for covering minor cuts and scrapes
• Antibiotic cream – to treat any skin injury
• Emollient-enriched cream – to hydrate feet
• Blister pads or moleskin – to protect against blisters
• Motrin or Advil (anti-inflammatory) – to ease tired, swollen feet
• Toenail clippers – to keep toenails trimmed
• Emery board – to smooth rough edges or broken nails
• Pumice stone – to soften callused skin
• Sunscreen – to protect against the scorching sun
• Aloe vera or Silvadene cream – to relieve sunburns

Sandal Scandal

Avoid a shoe blunder this summer by addressing your footwear woes:
• Wedges and Espadrilles – possible problem areas are ankle twist, sprain; instability and difficulty walking. There may be a solution, try a wider, flatter wedge; look for a rubber sole with good traction.
• Peep-Toe Sandals – increased pressure on toes; bunions and hammer toes. There may be help, wear only for short periods of time; use an APMA-accepted insert.
• Flats and Slides – problem areas are arch and heel pain; inadequate cushioning and foot support. Consider this, avoid prolonged wear; try cushioned inserts for shock absorption; select a sole that doesn’t twist excessively.
• Platforms and High Heels – problem areas are pain in the ball of the foot and ankle injuries. Better option is to wear lower, more stable heels (less than two inches); use an APMA-accepted insert.
• Gladiator and Strappy Sandals – Problem are irritation between toes; callus and dead skin build-up around the heels; lack of support and shock absorption. A solution that offers both is select natural materials such a soft, supple leather; ensure proper fit with no toes or heels hanging off the edge.

Catnip

Catnip equals crazy cat, right? Not always. Around 70% of cats, due to an inherited trait, react to this member of the mint family. Research indicates that the active compound nepatalactone, when inhaled by a cat, evokes a reaction from the hypothalamus and amygdala, generally creating an artificial response to cat pheromone. The cat will drool, rub its head and body on the herb, jump around and vocalize. The reaction generally lasts about 10 minutes, and then the cat becomes immune for 30 minutes to two hours. A cat that eats catnip is likely to have the opposite effect, becoming very mellow.

Native to south and eastern Europe, the Middle East, central Asia and China, catnip was bought to North America by immigrants and quickly naturalized. It grows wild in many places and is a welcome addition to the other plants that feed our bees. Catmint, catswort, field balm and nep are other common names for catnip. Native Americans recognized its benefits and adopted this herb for natural therapies, notably as immune support and treatment for colic in infants. Compounds found in catnip are calming to humans, giving it value as a therapy for anxiety, anorexia, ADD, headache, digestive support and to calm nightmares. Because it induces sweating, it is also a recommended therapy for fever.

Most effectively consumed as a tea, it is high in vitamin C, and also vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B9 and B12, plus phosphorus, manganese, sodium, and sulfur. The tea has a slightly minty lemon flavor, considered appetizing by most. While it is safe for children, catnip should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers and is an emmenagogue, inducing menstruation. Its properties are recommended to ease PMS and menopause symptoms. Remember to use hot, but not boiling water for herbal teas. If the water is too hot, you are causing the essential oils in the herbs to evaporate away. Cover the cup or pot to allow the herbs to steep for 5 to 10 minutes for best benefits.

Seeds sown directly in soil or seedlings transplanted once danger of frost is past will grow into perennial shrubs approximately 18” wide by 18” – 36” in height. In Texas, catnip prefers full sun or partial shade and likes a slightly alkaline soil. The plants flower lilac or white spires until frost, providing forage for bees and other pollinators. They will freeze to the ground in winter, but will grow back if protected by mulch and given a little compost in the fall. Compounds in catnip are known to repel mosquitoes, and in tests shown to be more effective than DEET. Companion planting recommends catnip around squashes to deter squash bugs and flea beetles, so we are adding it to our gardens this year to experiment and hope for positive results. The herb is also said to repel rats, and so is planted around grain silos. Wild deer and rabbits do not generally bother catnip, so it makes an aromatic color addition to gardens where they are pests.

Over the past several years the AAD (American Academy of Dermatology) has led educational campaigns on the health risks of sun exposure and protection. During this time, The FDA also implemented stricter guidelines governing the labeling of sunscreen in an attempt to prevent false or misleading claims by the sunscreen manufacturer.

My patient concern(s)…”What are these brown spots? How do I stop them from coming?” Whether it is freckling (Lentigos), larger dark patches (Melasma) or depigmented areas of the skin, the answer I give is always the same…Protection. These pigmentary changes can often be stubborn and difficult to treat; therefore, prevention really is the “best medicine”. Patients grow frustrated since they are using sunscreen and following all the “rules”: using an SPF of 15 or higher for daily use/30 and higher when outdoors, applying proper amounts, reapplying every 90-120 minutes (sooner if swimming/ sweating). In cases such as this, the sunscreen product itself is often to blame. So, it’s important to understand not all sunscreens are created equal! There are importance differences in the types of sunscreens available and the protection value they offer.

To better understand let’s look at UVR (Ultraviolet Radiation). Two main subcategories of UVR pose a threat to skin: UVB and UVA. UVB has a shorter wavelength, meaning it does not penetrate the skin as deeply thus causing more superficial acute damage; what we recognize as a sunburn. Conversely UVA has a much longer wavelength, penetrating deeper into the skin where it renders damage. It is UVA that is the primary culprit for such things as pigmentary change and premature aging. Although each type of UVR can render different short term damage, it’s important to recognize both play a role in long term health risk such that can lead to things like precancerous and cancerous lesions. Not all sunscreens provide equal or proper protection against both types of UV rays. Lathering on the highest SPF and reapplying frequently isn’t going to adequately protect you, unless you are using a broad spectrum product. Moral of the story is, if you’re not using the proper sunscreen, you may only be protecting yourself against sunburns, leaving yourself vulnerable to pigmentary change.

There are two types of sunscreen available: chemical sunscreen and physical sunscreen (referred to as sunblock). Physical sunscreens such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are minerals that provide a physical barrier reflecting UV rays (both UVB & UVA) away from the skin. Physical sunscreens offer many advantages over chemical sunscreens. Make sure your sunscreen is working for you, even before you consider the SPF number, flip the bottle over and read the active ingredients!